Insecurity: Delegates of National Counter Terrorism Centre Visit Zamfara

The National Counter Terrorism Centre has commended Governor Dauda Lawal for embracing its initiative and demonstrating a firm commitment to ensuring the protection of lives and property for the people of Zamfara State.

A delegation from the centre made this known during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

A statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, noted that the centre provides leadership and strategic direction to the armed forces, security operatives, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies on counter-terrorism efforts, in line with the mandate of the National Security Adviser.

According to the statement, Governor Lawal expressed appreciation for the centre’s visit to Zamfara to assess the state government’s efforts in tackling insecurity.

“I keep saying that if you make a conscious effort to handle Zamfara State effectively as far as insecurity is concerned, you will solve 80 per cent of the security challenges in the North,” the governor stated.

He added: “From all the initiatives I have seen so far, we possess what it takes to tackle these challenges, based on consultation and collaboration between Zamfara State and the Office of the National Security Adviser. This is commendable.

“I am happy to hear that the European Union has set aside some funds, even though we will provide a counterpart fund.

“In Zamfara State, we are ever ready to provide the counterpart funding. If you are ready tomorrow, we are ready.

“We are ready, and our door is open. Anything that will bring positive changes to Zamfara is welcome.

“We need a timeline for what you are doing, so that we can keep track. I will have a team that will be engaging with the Counter Terrorism Centre.”

Earlier, the centre’s Head of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, Mairo Musa Abbas, stated that the team was in Zamfara on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the National Counter Terrorism Coordinator, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba Laka.

“We are here as part of the strategic nationwide advocacy engagement,” he said, “We look forward to collaborating to ensure that Zamfara becomes a beacon of hope in the fight against banditry.”